Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Eyres
Except for one thing, E.T. is the only relevant factor.
Except for the factor of who leaves first, who gets the jump.
That's the essence of bracket racing, which programs the tree to hold back the the quicker car to make the race even. Then, whoever responds to the light quicker theoretically wins.
In a "heads up" race, both drivers respond to the same light sequence. If both cars run the same e.t., then whoever leaves first wins.
This puts driver skill into the equation. Shifting quicker also allows you to minimize the rpm drop between gears.
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That was my point, there are ways for a slightly slower car to win a drag race against a quicker car.
Yes in bracket racing, if both cars run their dial in, the car that crosses the finish line first gets the win, so long as you dont "breakout" and run a lower ET than your "dial-in".
I remember being in a money class for eliminations. There were cars that sat on the line for many seconds before they got to launch. I see them launch wheels up in my rearview mirror and then charge by me at the finsh line. The guy was choked that he lost though.
Using the Pro tree in "heads up" drag racing whichever car gets to the finish line without "red-lighting" wins. The ET you run in this type of drag racing doesnt matter. ET is meaningless in heads up because the timers for your own lane dont start until your vehicle moves, and end when your car breaks the beams at the finish line.
On the quicker shifting. Having quick shifts on a manual trans increases the amount of time that the drive wheels are putting power to the ground. The only way rpm drop during an upshift would increase appreciably is if shifted VERY slowly. Slow enough that the car actually loses speed during the shift, otherwise rpm in a manual trans car is pretty constant. This is where an automatic has an advantage, power is always being transmitted to the rear drive wheels during upshifts. But thats a different discussion.